Impacted communities have numerous avenues to pursue justice and advocate for meaningful change. Below, you’ll find inspiring stories from Mothers of the Movement who have championed legislative reforms, run for office, and founded community organizations. Additionally, we’ve gathered valuable resources to help you transform pain into purpose and progress.
Taking Action
MOTHERS ADVOCATING FOR LEGISLATIVE CHANGE
Geneva Reed-Veal, mother of Sandra Bland, is on a mission to carry out her daughter's legacy of fighting against social injustice. She has appeared in front of congressional leaders at the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls at the Library of Congress. In 2016, Reed-Veal pushed for police reform in Texas. She advocated for the Sandra Bland Act, which called for the revision of racial profiling laws, officer training, and other accountability measures.
Sequette Clark, mother of Stephon Clark –– alongside her family and surrounding community, has rallied, on the capitol steps, year after year, to raise awareness of her son's murder.
Tamika Palmer, mother of Breonna Taylor, worked to bring her daughter's death to national attention. Because of the tireless advocacy of her mother, Taylor's death attracted global attention and created the hashtag #sayhername. Palmer has also pushed for police reform legislation at the local and federal levels. Since then, cities and states have adopted laws, named after Taylor, that limit the use of no-knock warrants.
Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner, has earned nation-wide recognition as an activist for the work she's done following her son's death. She has advocated for the anti-chokehold legislation and the Eric Garner Excessive Use of Force Prevention Act. She was also present as a speaker at the Democratic National Convention, along with other Mothers of the Movement.
Lezley McSpadden became an author in her journey to find justice for her son, Michael Brown. She also founded The Michael Brown Foundation and campaigned for the Michael Brown Bill.
Samaria Rice, mother of Tamir Rice, founded the Tamir Rice Foundation, which “invests in the growth and enrichment of all children through after-school programs in arts and culture.” She also works as an advocate for juvenile rights in Cleveland, Ohio.
Lucy McBath became an advocate for gun control after her son, Jordan Davis, was killed in 2012 by a man who fired 10 shots into his car. She then joined other mothers of black murder victims to form the Mothers of the Movement, and spoke at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. McBath ran for the House of Representatives in 2018, defeating Republican incumbent Karen Handel and defeating her again in 2020.
LEGISLATIVE CHANGE
PRISONERS' RIGHTS
RESOURCE LINKS
RUNNING FOR OFFICE
WHERE TO START BUILDING A COMMUNITY
Action Now is a social justice organization based in Chicago that strives to give a voice to the marginalized.
The Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) Action is a grassroots, member-led, statewide community organization working with more than 15,000 members across California. ACCE is dedicated to raising the voices of everyday Californians, neighborhood by neighborhood, to fight for the policies and programs we need to improve our communities and create a brighter future.
Defending Rights & Dissent strengthens participatory democracy by protecting the right to political expression.
HandsUpUnited is a collective of politically engaged minds building towards the liberation of oppressed Black, Brown and poor people through education, art, civil disobedience, advocacy and agriculture.
The mission of Communities United (CU) is to organize and empower low income Marylanders to achieve transformative change on issues of racial, economic and social justice.
All of Us or None is a grassroots civil and human rights organization fighting for the rights of formerly-and currently-incarcerated people and our families. We are fighting against the discrimination that people face every day because of arrest or conviction history.
The National Council on Independent Living provides you with programs, organizations, and books that support and train you in running for office.
She Should Run recruits and helps women nationwide to consider running for office. She Should Run offers resources, programs and events to motivate more women to run for office.
The Coalition of Concerned Mothers supports you in advocating for legislative change, providing you with resources to enact change and a community of mothers who understand what you're going through. COCM's vision is to enact change to address the root causes of community and state-sanctioned violence against Black communities on a local and national level. The organization collaborates closely with families affected by police brutality, concerned citizens, law enforcement agents, legislators, policymakers, and allied organizations to advocate for social justice and human rights.
Connecting and interacting with others is important for conversations regarding identity and equity. The National Museum of African American History & Cultures provides the benefits of community building and guidelines for community building in equity work.
FINANCIAL RELIEF
Created by the Campaign for Black Male Achievement and Candid, this curated collection of more than 250 reports offers data, analysis, and recommendations to strengthen the field of Black male achievement.
EDUCATION
A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities aims to promote effective and responsive philanthropy in Black communities.
BOLD is a national training intermediary focused on strengthening Black social justice infrastructure in the U.S.
The Baltimore Algebra Project aims to carve a community of leaders as well as exhibit leadership while remaining committed to the education of those in need of advancements in their socioeconomic status.
Brotherhood/SisterSol (BroSis) is where young people claim the power of their history, identity and community to build the future they want to see.